Republican defeated incumbent Randy Gordon for seat

The last undecided race to represent Issaquah in Olympia came to a close Dec. 3, more than a month after Election Day.

Republican Steve Litzow defeated appointed incumbent Randy Gordon to represent the 41st Legislative District in the state Senate. The district includes Talus and other Cougar Mountain communities in Issaquah, plus Mercer Island, Newcastle and rural King County.

State Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson (right) administers the oath of office to new state Sen. Steve Litzow at the Capitol in Olympia on Dec. 6. Contributed

Democrat Gordon trailed Litzow by more than 1,000 votes in the days after the Nov. 2 election. The gap between the candidates slimmed to 194 votes — or 0.32 percent — as the county tallied ballots. Litzow clinched the seat by 192 votes after the recount.

Under state law, a machine recount is required if the difference between the candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates. King County Elections tallied 63,361 ballots in the race.

The elections office completed the mandatory recount for the contest Dec. 1 and King County Canvassing Board members certified the recount results Dec. 3.

The last undecided race to represent Issaquah in Olympia is headed for a recount.

State Sen. Randy Gordon trailed challenger Steve Litzow by more than 1,000 votes in the days after the Nov. 2 election. The gap between Democrat Gordon and Republican Litzow narrowed to 194 votes — or 0.32 percent — as the county tallied ballots.

Under state law, a machine recount is required if the difference between the candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

King County Elections tallied 63,361 ballots in the race. The margin to trigger a machine recount in the race is about 315 votes.

The last undecided race to represent Issaquah in Olympia is headed for a recount next month.

State Sen. Randy Gordon trailed challenger Steve Litzow by more than 1,000 votes in the days after the Nov. 2 election. The gap between Democrat Gordon and Republican Litzow narrowed to 194 votes — or 0.32 percent — as the county tallied ballots.

Under state law, a machine recount is required if the difference between the candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

The results of the Nov. 2 election must remain unofficial for a bit longer, on account of the inclement weather.

King County Canvassing Board members met afternoon to complete the canvassing process. Members had been scheduled to meet Tuesday to certify the election results, but icy conditions prompted county leaders to close many offices, including King County Elections.

The county Canvassing Board is due to meet 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at election headquarters to sign off on the election results.

The board could order a recount in the last undecided Issaquah legislative race.

The last undecided race to represent Issaquah in Olympia appears to be headed for a recount.

State Sen. Randy Gordon trailed challenger Steve Litzow by more than 1,000 votes in the days after the Nov. 2 election. In the 15 days since the campaign ended, the gap between the Democrat Gordon and Republican Litzow has slimmed to 142 votes.

Under state law, a machine recount is required if the difference between the candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than one-half of 1 percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates.

King County Elections has tallied 62,252 ballots in the race so far. The margin for a machine recount in the race is about 300 votes.

Both parties highlight successes in local contests

The national GOP tsunami carried Republicans into statehouses across the nation on Election Day, but in Washington, the wave amounted to little more than a gentle crest.

Republicans did not dislodge Democrats from majorities in the state Senate or state House of Representatives, but candidates faced a testier electorate, and Democrats face shrunken majorities in both chambers.

Despite strong candidates and a favorable political environment, Republicans did not reclaim a majority in Issaquah-area statehouse seats.

Democrats and Republicans trumpeted successes in the days after Election Day, as elections offices tallied the remaining ballots for statehouse contests.

Dino Rossi, U.S. Senate candidate, kisses wife Terry as children (from left) Jake, Joseph, Juliauna and Jillian look on during a GOP celebration in Bellevue Tuesday. By Greg Farrar

State Senate races remain too close to call

UPDATED — 5:55 p.m. Nov. 3, 2010

Republican Dino Rossi, a Sammamish resident and former Issaquah state senator, trailed incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray by about 24,800 votes Wednesday afternoon, though the number could shift in the days ahead as mail ballots reach elections offices statewide.

Our recommendations for state representatives

5th District

The 5th Legislative District includes most of Issaquah, except for Cougar Mountain (It’s in the 41st District) and the South Cove neighborhoods (They’re in the 48th).

Representative, Position 1 — Jay Rodne. We can find no reason to oust Rodne at this time. His challenger, Gregory Hoover, is no match for Rodne’s knowledge regarding the issues. Rodne’s record of voting pro-business and working for education reform stands out. When not in Olympia, Rodne is entrenched in his community as a leader and a volunteer.

Representative, Position 2 — Glenn Anderson. There is no hidden agenda with Anderson — he calls it like it is, even if it’s not what you want to hear. But there is no doubt that he is knowledgeable and passionate about this commitment to represent the 5th District. He is a tireless worker for education funding solutions. Challenger David Spring’s drive is also about education, but he fails to bring solutions to the table.

The battleground for control of the Legislature is on the shores of Lake Sammamish.

Republicans, re-energized after a decade of defeats and defections on the Eastside, hope to shift a handful of lakeside districts back into the GOP column. Incumbent Democrats promise difficult fights to hold the suburban territory in and near Issaquah.

Democrats hold sizeable majorities in Olympia. The party outnumbers Republicans 61-37 in the House of Representatives and 31-18 in the Senate. Gov. Chris Gregoire is also a Democrat.

The effort to change the political calculus is focused on House and Senate races in the 41st, 45th and 48th legislative districts — the upper-middle class communities arranged around Lake Sammamish.

“I think it’s probably a pretty safe bet that the Republicans will pick up some seats, but I don’t know how many,” Washington State University political science professor David Nice said. “My guess is that, no matter who ends up in majority status in either house of the Legislature that the majority is not going to be a very big one.”